Editors' Review

Google's Chrome for Android brings many of the desktop browser's features to your mobile device, so you can move effortlessly between platforms without having to change browsers.

Pros

Sync: Chrome can sync between the desktop and mobile versions of the app, displaying bookmarks, recent searches, passwords, and other settings across devices.

Bookmarks: In addition to having access to all your desktop bookmarks, you can create mobile-only bookmarks that you only need on your phone, such as a bus schedule page.

Handles tabs: Open a new tab by tapping the More menu in the top-right corner and then tap New Tab. You'll see a collection of recently or frequently visited websites. To access open tabs, tap the small square with a number inside that's to the left of the More menu. If you leave an incognito tab open, the app will remind you to close it if you browse away from it.

Trim data usage: If you turn on Data Saver, much of your Web traffic will go through Google servers, which will compress pages before sending them to your phone.

Be private-ish: Don't want Chrome to record where you browse and what you download? Turn on incognito mode. The browser won't keep a record of your activities, but your ISP, your company's IT department, and the websites you visit may keep a record of your activities.

Avoid trouble: Turn on Safe Browsing to see a warning before you navigate to a potentially dangerous website or download a potentially harmful app.

Cons

Confusing tabs: Having browser tabs on Android is handy, but they are a bit more work to use in their mobile iteration. It takes two taps to move to another tab, for example, and the Android browser offers no way to reopen a closed tab, as you can with the desktop version.

Bottom Line

Google Chrome for Android offers much of what you expect in Google browsing -- syncing, bookmarks, an incognito mode -- and manages to handle much of it skillfully on a small screen.

read more +

Category

Publisher's Description

Google Chrome is a fast, easy to use, and secure web browser. Designed for Android, Chrome brings you personalized news articles, quick links to your favorite sites, downloads, and Google Search and Google Translate built-in. Download now to enjoy the same Chrome web browser experience you love across all your devices.

Incognito Browsing. Use Incognito mode to browse the internet without saving your history. Browse privately across all your devices.

Sync Chrome Across Devices. When you sign into Chrome, your bookmarks, passwords, and settings will be automatically synced across all your devices. You can seamlessly access all your information from your phone, tablet, or laptop.

All your favorite content, one tap away. Chrome is not just fast for Google Search, but designed so you are one tap away from all your favorite content. You can tap on your favorite news sites or social media directly from the new tab page. Chrome also has the "Tap to Search"- feature on most webpages. You can tap on any word or phrase to start a Google search while still in the page you are enjoying.

Protect your phone with Google Safe Browsing. Chrome has Google Safe Browsing built-in. It keeps your phone safe by showing warnings to you when you attempt to navigate to dangerous sites or download dangerous files.

Fast downloads and view web pages and videos offline Chrome has a dedicated download button, so you can easily download videos, pictures, and entire webpages with just one tap. Chrome also has downloads home right inside Chrome, where you can access all the content you downloaded, even when you are offline.

Google Voice Search. Chrome gives you an actual web browser you can talk to. Use your voice to find answers on-the-go without typing and go hands free. You can browse and navigate quicker using your voice anywhere, anytime.

Google Translate built-in: Quickly translate entire web pages. Chrome has Google Translate built in to help you to translate entire web to your own language with one tap.

Save Mobile Data. Turn on Chrome's Data Saver to browse and navigate the web while using less data. Save up to 60% of data as Chrome compresses text, images, videos and websites without lowering the quality.

Smart personalized recommendations. Chrome creates an experience that is tailored to your interests. On the new tab page, you will find articles that Chrome selected based on your previous browsing history.

During recent updates few short weeks ago! The videos I watched at my fave Anime sites it seem to be lagging a little, I checked other browsers like Fire Fox no problems Videos played like a champ! Biggest annoyance is Pop up ads flash ads whatever you call them It takes you to spammers sites it would have malware and other garbage, that would affect your phone/tablet! cant hit back button to get out of spammers ad site! Chrome has poor security! to stop pop up ads even you visit well known popular sites they have pop up ads! Fire Fox is waayyyy better, It has ad blockers. Chrome Dont., The biggest spam ads it force ably takes you out of the site you visit, you get message your phone/tablet is infected with virus it has google logo on that page! spammers snag trap! Thats why Chrome needs to have stealth ad blocking to their Browser and also fool ad blocking detection on some websites, that you cant view their websites until you disable ad blocking,

Fast (if it can load the content you want to see). Some thoughtful interface designs and features.

Cons

No flash capability, which is one of Android's few advantages over iOS. For example, when streaming an audio feed, the default browser has a better interface and is much more capable.

Summary

Chrome for Android's biggest selling point is its novelty. If you're an early adopter and curious tech enthusiast, then check it out. For substantive capability that works the first time, though, you will find yourself copying URLs from Chrome into the stock browser because the stock browser is so much more capable, esp when it comes to Flash and sites with rich content.

For all you delusional hipsters who say Flash is obsolete, the reality is that as of 2012, lack of Flash will give you lots of blank space. True, maybe that giant log shouldn't be in the freeway. But it's there. So, you can live by the-world-shouldn't-to-be-that-way delusion and slam your car into it at 70mph. Or, react to things as they are and deal with the log instead of ignoring it. Flash may or may not get phased out, but as of now, you'll be censored from accessing enormous volumes of content without Flash.

Syncing of bookmarks. Syncing of tabs that are open in Chrome on your desktop or laptop.

Very slick user interface. You gotta try it.

Google promises rapid iteration (6 weeks between updates). Six months from now you won't recognize this software.

Cons

Only runs on ICS devices. Doesn't support Flash. But Chrome for Android is about the future, not the past.

Summary

This software makes a very compelling case for the future of the mobile web. It's easy to imagine how with the widespread availability of browsers like Chrome that mobile web will really give the idea of platform-specific app a run for its money.

E-mail This Review

Thank You, !

Report Offensive Content

If you believe this comment is offensive or violates the CNET's Site Terms of Use, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the comment). Once reported, our staff will be notified and the comment will be reviewed.

Popularity

Pricing

Screenshots

Be the first to know about the hottest apps with Download's Android Apps newsletter.

I have read and agree to CBS Interactive's
Terms of Use,
Privacy Policy,
and Video Services Policy.
I understand that I will receive the Android Apps by Download newsletter and the Download Insider. I am aware I can opt out at any time.